Information processing apparatus and nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive

ABSTRACT

According to one embodiment, a control module of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive has a first erase mode in which an address management table, which is indicative of a correspondency between logical block addresses and physical addresses of a nonvolatile semiconductor memory, is initialized to set the memory area of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory in a state in which no user data is written, a second erase mode in which the address management table is initialized to set the memory area in a state in which no user data is written, and the blocks, other than a defective block, which are included in the memory area, are erased, and a third erase mode in which the address management table is initialized to set the memory area in a state in which no user data is written, and the blocks, including the defective block, which are included in the memory area, are erased.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No.PCT/JP2008/070717, filed Nov. 7, 2008, which was published under PCTArticle 21(2) in English.

This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority fromJapanese Patent Application No. 2008-050807, filed Feb. 29, 2008, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

One embodiment of the invention relates to an information processingapparatus and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, data storage devices, such as hard disks, have widelybeen used.

Jpn. Pat. Appln. KOKAI Publication No. 2006-196135 discloses a datastorage device having a scramble/descramble function. This data storagedevice includes transmission/reception means, scrambler means, a harddisk, descrambler means, a memory, and initial value varying means. Thetransmission/reception means receives information from outside andtransmits information in the data storage device to the outside. Thescrambler means scrambles the information which thetransmission/reception means receives from the outside. An output signalfrom the scrambler means is recorded on the hard disk. The descramblermeans descrambles the signal that is read out of the hard disk. Thememory outputs initial values to the scrambler means and the descramblermeans. The initial value varying means varies the initial values whenthe data recorded on the hard disk is erased.

In this data storage device, if data erase of the hard disk isinstructed via the transmission/reception means, the initial valuevarying means generates new initial values for the scrambler means anddescrambler means. Data, which is newly recorded, is subjected to ascramble process and a descramble process on the basis of the newinitial values.

On the other hand, the data, which has already been recorded on the harddisk before the variation of the initial values, is descrambled on thebasis of initial values which are different from the initial valuesbefore the variation, and is then reproduced. Accordingly, since thedata, which has already been recorded on the hard disk before thevariation of the initial values, is descrambled on the basis of initialvalues which are entirely different from the initial values at the timeof data recording, data with different values is read out.

Consequently, since the data, which is stored before the change of theinitial values, cannot normally be read out, the change of initialvalues is virtual erase of the hard disk. Thus, the data can virtuallybe erased instantaneously, without erase data being overwritten on thehard disk of the data storage device. Thereby, the work time for re-useor discard of the hard disk can remarkably be reduced.

However, according to the conventional data storage device, althoughdecoding of scrambled data is difficult, the take-out of the scrambleddata can easily be performed. Thus, it is not possible to deny that thescrambled data may be decoded with the progress of decodingtechnologies. It is thus required to realize a novel function for surelyexecuting erase of written information and preventing leak ofinformation.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

A general architecture that implements the various feature of theinvention will now be described with reference to the drawings. Thedrawings and the associated descriptions are provided to illustrateembodiments of the invention and not to limit the scope of theinvention.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of aninformation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of theinformation processing apparatus according to the embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of anSSD that is provided in the information processing apparatus accordingto the embodiment;

FIG. 4 schematically shows the memory capacities and memory areas of theSSD shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 schematically shows the structure of a NAND memory which isprovided in the SSD shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining three kinds of erase methods, whichare executable by the SSD shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the procedure ofpseudo-erase, which is executed by the SSD shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the procedure ofnormal erase, which is executed by the SSD shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the procedure ofexpansive erase, which is executed by the SSD shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments according to the invention will be describedhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. In general,according to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided aninformation processing apparatus comprising: an information processingapparatus main body; and a nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive whichis accommodated in the information processing apparatus main body, thenonvolatile semiconductor memory drive including a nonvolatilesemiconductor memory having a memory area including a plurality ofblocks, and a control module, the control module having a first erasemode in which an address management table, which is indicative of acorrespondency between logical block addresses and physical addresses ofthe nonvolatile semiconductor memory, is initialized to set the memoryarea in a state in which no user data is written, a second erase mode inwhich the address management table is initialized to set the memory areain a state in which no user data is written, and the blocks, other thana defective block, which are included in the memory area, are erased,and a third erase mode in which the address management table isinitialized to set the memory area in a state in which no user data iswritten, and the blocks, including the defective block, which areincluded in the memory area, are erased, and the control moduleselectively using the first erase mode, the second erase mode and thirderase mode, thereby executing an erase operation on the memory area.

This information processing apparatus can surely execute erase ofwritten information and can prevent leak of information.

<Structure of Information Processing Apparatus>

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of aninformation processing apparatus according to an embodiment of thepresent invention. This information processing apparatus 1, as shown inFIG. 1, is composed of a main body 2 and a display unit 3 which isattached to the main body 2.

The main body 2 has a box-shaped casing 4. The casing 4 includes anupper wall 4 a, a peripheral wall 4 b and a lower wall 4 c. The upperwall 4 a of the casing 4 includes a front part 40, a central part 41 anda back part 42 in the named order from the side close to a user whooperates the information processing apparatus 1. The lower wall 4 c isopposed to an installation surface on which the information processingapparatus 1 is disposed. The peripheral wall 4 b includes a front wall 4ba, a rear wall 4 bb and left and right side walls 4 bc and 4 bd.

The front part 40 includes a touch pad 20 which is a pointing device, apalm rest 21, and a light-emitting diode (LED) 22 which is turned on inassociation with the operation of respective parts of the informationprocessing apparatus 1.

The central part 41 includes a keyboard mounting part 23 to which akeyboard 23 a, which can input character information, etc., is attached.

The back part 42 includes a battery pack 24 which is detachablyattached. A power switch 25 for powering on the information processingapparatus 1 is provided on the right side of the battery pack 24. A pairof hinge portions 26 a and 26 b, which rotatably support the displayunit 3, are provided on the left and right sides of the battery pack 24.

An exhaust port (not shown) for exhausting the wind to the outside fromthe inside of the casing 4, is provided on the left side wall 4 bc ofthe casing 4. In addition, an ODD (Optical Disc Drive) 27, which canread and write data on an optical storage medium such as a DVD, and acard slot 28, in/from which various cards can be inserted/taken out, aredisposed on the right side wall 4 bd.

The casing 4 is formed of a casing cover including a part of theperipheral wall 4 b and the upper wall 4 a, and a casing base includinga part of the peripheral wall 4 b and the lower wall 4 c. The casingcover is detachably coupled to the casing base, and an accommodationspace is formed between the casing cover and the casing base. Thisaccommodation space accommodates, for instance, an SSD (Solid StateDrive) 10 functioning as a nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive. Thedetails of the SSD 10 will be described later.

The display unit 3 includes a display housing 30 having an openingportion 30 a, and a display device 31 which is composed of, e.g. an LCDwhich can display an image on a display screen 31 a. The display device31 is accommodated in the display housing 30, and the display screen 31a is exposed to the outside of the display housing 30 through theopening portion 30 a.

The casing 4 accommodates a main circuit board, an expansion module, afan, etc., which are not shown, in addition to the above-described SSD10, battery pack 24, ODD 27 and card slot 28.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram which schematically shows the systemconfiguration of the information processing apparatus 1. The informationprocessing apparatus 1, as shown in FIG. 2, includes an EC (EmbeddedController) 111, a flash memory 112 which stores a BIOS (Basic InputOutput System) 112 a, a south bridge 113, a north bridge 114, a CPU(Central Processing Unit) 115, a GPU (Graphic Processing Unit) 116 and amain memory 117, in addition to the above-described SSD 10, expansionmodule 12, fan 13, touch pad 20, LED 22, keyboard 23 a, power switch 25,ODD 27, card slot 28 and display device 31.

The EC (Embedded Controller) 111 is a built-in system which controls therespective parts. The north bridge 114 is an LSI which controlsconnection between the CPU 115, GPU 116, main memory 117 and variousbuses. The CPU 15 is a processor which performs arithmetic processing ofvarious signals, and executes an operating system and variousapplication programs, which are loaded from the SSD 10 into the mainmemory 117. The GPU 116 is a display controller which executes displaycontrol by performing arithmetic processing of a video signal.

The expansion module 12 includes an expansion circuit board, a cardsocket which is provided on the expansion circuit board, and anexpansion module board which is inserted in the card socket. The cardsocket supports, e.g. the Mini-PCI standard. Examples of the expansionmodule board include a 3G (3rd Generation) module, a TV tuner, a GPSmodule, and a Wimax (trademark) module.

The fan 13 is a cooling unit which cools the inside of the casing 4 onthe basis of air feeding, and exhausts the air in the casing 4 to theoutside as the wind via the exhaust port (not shown).

The EC 111, flash memory 112, south bridge 113, north bridge 114, CPU115, CPU 116 and main memory 117 are electronic components which aremounted on the main circuit board.

<Structure of SSD>

FIG. 3 is a block diagram which schematically shows the structure of theSDD that is applied to the information processing apparatus according tothe embodiment. The SSD 10 is a nonvolatile semiconductor memory drivewhich, in place of a hard disk, is used as an external storage device ofthe information processing apparatus 1. The SSD 10, as shown in FIG. 3,substantially comprises a connector 102, a control unit 103, NANDmemories (NAND flash EEPROMs) 104A to 104H, a DRAM (memory) 105, and apower supply circuit 106. The SSD 10 is the external storage devicewhich stores data and programs, and the storage content of which is notlost even if no power is supplied. The SSD 10 is a drive which, unlike ahard disk driver does not have a driving mechanism of a magnetic disk, ahead, etc., but the SSD 10 can store programs, such as the OS (OperatingSystem), and data which is created by the user or created on the basisof software, in memory areas of a NAND memory, which is a nonvolatilesemiconductor memory, for a long time in a readable/writable manner, andcan operate as a boot drive of the information processing apparatus 1.

The control unit 103 is connected to the connector 102, eight NANDmemories 104A to 104H, DRAM 105 and power supply circuit 106. Inaddition, the control unit 103 is connected to the host apparatus 8 viathe connector 102, and is connected, where necessary, to an externalapparatus 9.

A power supply 7 is the battery pack 24 or an AC adapter (not shown).For example, a power of DC 3.3V is supplied to the power supply circuit106 via the connector 102. In addition, the power supply 7 suppliespower to the entirety of the information processing apparatus 1.

In the present embodiment, the host apparatus 8 is the informationprocessing apparatus main body 2 (the main circuit board of the mainbody 2). The south bridge 113, which is mounted on the main circuitboard, is connected to the control unit 103 via the connector 102. Datatransmission/reception is executed between the south bridge 113 andcontrol unit 103, for example, on the basis of the serial ATA standard.

The external apparatus 9 is an information processing apparatus which isdifferent from the information processing apparatus 1. The externalapparatus 9 is connected to the control unit 103 of the SSD 10 which isremoved from the information processing apparatus 1, for example, on thebasis of the RS-232C standard, and the external apparatus 9 has afunction of reading out data which is stored in the NAND memories 104Ato 104H.

The board, on which the SSD 10 is mounted, has the same outside size asan HDD (Hard Disk Drive) of, e.g. 1.8-inch type or 2.5-inch type. In thepresent embodiment, this board has the same outside size as the 1.8-inchtype HDD.

The control unit 103 is a control module configured to control dataread/write on the NAND memories 104A to 104H. Specifically, inaccordance with a request (read command, write command, etc.) from theinformation processing apparatus main body 2 that functions as the hostapparatus 8, the control unit 103 controls the execution of dataread/write on the NAND memories 104A to 104H. Each NAND memory has aplurality of sectors. The control of execution of data read/write ineach sector of the NAND memory, 104A to 104H, is executed in units of apredetermined number of sectors, which are called “cluster”. The datatransfer speed is, for example, 100 MB/Sec at a data read and 40 MB/Secat a data write.

Each of the NAND memories 104A to 104H is a nonvolatile semiconductormemory having a memory capacity of, e.g. 16 GB. Each of the NANDmemories 104A to 104H is composed of, e.g. an MLC (Multi-LevelCell)-NAND memory (multilevel NAND memory) in which 2 bits can berecorded in one memory cell. The MLC-NAND memory has such features thatthe allowable number of rewrites is smaller than an SLC (Single-LevelCell)-NAND memory, but the memory capacity can be increased more easilythan the SLC (Single-Level Cell)-NAND memory.

The DRAM 105 is a buffer which temporarily stores data when dataread/write is executed on the NAND memory, 104A to 104H, by the controlof the control unit 103. The DRAM 105 functions as a write cache whichtemporarily stores write data from the information processing apparatusmain body 2 that functions as the host apparatus 8.

The connector 102 has a shape based on, e.g. the serial ATA standard.The control unit 103 and power supply circuit 106 may be connected tothe host apparatus 8 and power supply 7 via different connectors.

The power supply circuit 106 converts DC 3.3V, which is supplied fromthe power supply 7, to, e.g. DC 1.8V and 1.2V, and supplies these threekinds of voltages to the respective parts in accordance with the drivingvoltages of the respective parts of the SSD 10.

<Memory Capacity of SSD>

FIG. 4 schematically shows the memory capacities and memory areas of theSSD 10. The control unit 103 of the SSD 10 manages seven kinds of memorycapacities 104 a to 104 g, which are shown in FIG. 4.

The memory capacity 104 a is NAND Capacity, and is a maximum memorycapacity using the memory areas of all NAND memories 104A to 104H.Specifically, the memory capacity 104 a is the sum of the physicalmemory capacities of the NAND memories 104A to 104H. For example, if thememory capacity of each of the NAND memories 104A to 104H is 16 GB, thememory capacity 104 a is 128 GB. The memory capacity 104 a, i.e. theNAND Capacity, is given by, e.g. NAND structure information of amanufacture information write command of a UART (Universal AsynchronousReceiver Transmitter).

The memory capacity 104 b is Max Logical Capacity, and is a maximummemory capacity that is accessible by a logical block address (LBA).

The memory capacity 104 c is a S.M.A.R.T. log area start LBA, and isprovided in order to divide the memory capacity 104 b and the memorycapacity 104 d which will be described below. The S.M.A.R.T. log areastart LBA indicates a first LBA of the memory area which stores logdata.

The memory capacity 104 d is Vender Native Capacity, and is a maximummemory capacity which is given as a user use area. The memory capacity104 d is given by, e.g. initial Identify Device data of an ATA specificcommand. In addition, the memory capacity 104 d is determined by themanufacturer (Vender) at the time of design of the SSD 10 on the basisof the IDEMA (The International Disk Drive Equipment and MaterialsAssociation) standard, and is expressed by the following equation:LBA=97,696,368+(1,953,504×((Capacity in GB)−50)).

The memory capacity 104 e is OEM Native Capacity, and is a memorycapacity which is determined at the time of manufacture by a request ofan OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer). The memory capacity 104 e isgiven by, e.g. unique information write of an ATA specific command. Inaddition, the memory capacity 104 e is a value which is returned by aDevice Configuration Identify command when Device Configuration OverlayFeature Set is supported.

The memory capacity 104 f is Native Capacity, and its initial value isequal to the memory capacity 104 e. This value can be varied by a DeviceConfiguration Set command when Feature Set is supported. In addition,the memory capacity 104 f is a value which is returned by a Read NativeMax Address (EXT) command.

The memory capacity 104 g is Current Capacity and is a memory capacityduring use by the user, and the initial value is equal to the memorycapacity 104 f. This value can be varied by a SET Max Address command.This value is returned by Word 61:60, and Word 103:100 of an IdentifyDevice command.

The memory areas of the SSD 10 are present between the memory capacities104 a to 104 g.

The memory area (management area) between the memory capacities 104 aand 104 b stores management data 107 a for operating the SSD 10, and anaddress conversion table (logical/physical table) 108 a. The addressconversion table (logical/physical table) 108 a is an address managementtable for converting the logical block address LBA to a physical addresscorresponding to a sector which is a memory unit of the NAND memory,104A to 104H. The address conversion table (logical/physical table) 108a indicates the correspondency between the logical block addresses LBAsand the physical addresses of the NAND memory, 104A to 104H. Forexample, in the address conversion table (logical/physical table) 108 a,the correspondency between the logical block address LBA and thephysical address of the NAND memory, 104A to 104H, is managed in unitsof a cluster. Each cluster is composed of a predetermined number ofsectors, as described above. Each of the NAND memories 104A to 104H hasa plurality of sectors.

Each of the management data 107 a and logical/physical table 108 a isdata which is recorded in fixed areas in the NAND memories 104A to 104H.The LBA is not allocated to each of the management data 107 a andlogical/physical table 108 a. Thus, each of the management data 107 aand logical/physical table 108 a cannot be accessed, with the LBA beingused as a key. The control unit 103 has a fixed access path foraccessing each of the management data 107 a and logical/physical table108 a, and executes access to each of the management data 107 a andlogical/physical table 108 a via the fixed access path.

The memory area between the memory capacity 104 b and memory capacity104 c stores S.M.A.R.T. (Self-Monitoring Analysis and ReportingTechnology) log data 107 b. The S.M.A.R.T. log data 107 b is, forinstance, statistical information such as temperature information. TheLBAs, which are allocated to the S.M.A.R.T. log data 107 b, are locallyused in order for firmware, which is executed in the control unit 103,to access the S.M.A.R.T. log data 107 b. The firmware, which is executedin the control unit 103, can access the S.M.A.R.T. log data 107 b byusing the LBA as a key. However, the host apparatus 8 cannot access theS.M.A.R.T. log data 107 b by an ordinary read or write command.

A non-use memory area having a memory capacity of, e.g. 2 MB is set inthe memory area between the memory capacities 104 c and 104 d. Thereason for this is that the minimum memory unit of the LBA is 8 sectors,which is a memory unit corresponding to 4 KB (a large memory unit is 1MB), whereas the actual minimum recording unit of data is 1 sector as amatter of course, and thus the S.M.A.R.T. log data 107 b and the datarecorded in the memory area equal to or lower than the memory capacity104 d are independently handled by providing an empty memory area with amemory capacity of 1 MB or more between the memory capacities 104 c and104 d.

The memory area between the memory capacities 104 d and 104 e is anon-use area, and the memory capacity 104 d and 104 e have the samevalue except for a particular case.

The memory area between the memory capacities 104 e and 104 f is amemory area which is used by the OEM. As described above, the uniqueinformation 107 e, which is determined by the request of the OEM, iswritten in this memory area.

The memory area between the memory capacities 104 f and 104 g is amemory area which is used by the OEM or the user. Data write is executedin this memory area by the setting of the OEM or user.

The memory area of the memory capacity 104 g is a memory area which isused by the user, and data write is executed in this memory area by thesetting of the user.

The memory capacities 104 a to 104 g satisfy a relationship which isexpressed by the following formula:memory capacity 104a>memory capacity 104b>memory capacity 104c>memorycapacity 104d≧memory capacity 104e≧memory capacity 104f≧memory capacity104g.

At the time of shipment from the manufacturer (Vender), the memorycapacities 104 d to 104 g have the same value.

<Structure of NAND Memory>

FIG. 5 schematically shows the structure of the NAND memory which isused in the present embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining threekinds of erase methods, which are used in the embodiment. Since the NANDmemories 104A to 104H have the same function and structure, adescription is given of the NAND memory 104A. The numbers, which areadded to the left sides of clusters (memory units) 1041 and sectors1042, indicate cluster numbers and sector numbers. In FIG. 6, Free 1070schematically represents a set (first memory area) of data-writableblocks 1040, Active 1071 schematically represents a set (second memoryarea) of data-written blocks 1040 a in which data write is alreadyexecuted, and Bad Block 1072 schematically represents a set (thirdmemory area) of defective blocks 1043 in which error correction, whichwill be described later, fails to be executed. The Free 1070, Active1071 and Bad Block 1072 are stored in the management data 107 a asparameters which are indicative of the states of the respective blocks1040. Hatching in FIG. 6 indicates that data is stored.

The NAND memory 104A is composed of a plurality of blocks 1040. Eachblock 1040 is composed of 1024 clusters 1041. Each cluster 1041 iscomposed of eight sectors 1042.

When write data, which is less than the data size of one cluster 1041,is written, the control unit 103 executes read from a predeterminednumber (e.g. 8) of sectors 1042, which constitute the cluster 1041, onthe basis of the management data 107 a, and temporarily stores the dataof these sectors in the DRAM 105. The control unit 103 executes, on theDRAM 105, write of write data in the cluster from which data read hasbeen executed, and writes the cluster, in which the write data has beenwritten, into the corresponding cluster 1041 of the NAND memory from theDRAM 105.

In FIG. 5, the defective block 1043, which is indicated by hatching, isa block in which an error occurs at a time of data write or data read.For example, the defective block 1043 indicates a block 1040 in the SSD10, in which erase or an error has occurred.

<Operation>

The operation of the information processing apparatus 1 in the presentembodiment will now be described with reference to the drawings, payingattention to three kinds of erase methods.

To begin with, the outlines of the three kinds of erase methods areexplained.

The control unit 103 controls data write and data read on memory areas(NAND memory areas) of the NAND memories 104A to 104H by using thelogical/physical table 108 a. The control unit 103 has a security erasefunction for erasing all user data which are stored in the NAND memoryareas.

The control unit 103 has a pseudo-erase mode, a normal erase mode and anexpansive erase mode as erase operation modes for erasing all user datawhich are stored in the NAND memory areas. The control unit 103selectively uses the pseudo-erase mode, normal erase mode and expansiveerase mode, thereby executing an erase operation on the NAND memoryareas.

The pseudo-erase mode is a first erase mode in which thelogical/physical table 108 a is initialized and the NAND memory areaincluding plural blocks 1040 is set in a state in which user data is notwritten. The process of initializing the logical/physical table 108 a isa process of setting the logical/physical table 108 a in a state inwhich the physical address corresponding to each logical block addressLBA is not written in the logical/physical table 108 a. In the processof initializing the logical/physical table 108 a, the control unit 103executes, for example, a process of deleting, from the logical/physicaltable 108 a, the physical address corresponding to each LBA, or aprocess of setting, with respect to each LBA stored in thelogical/physical table 108 a, a flag which indicates that the memoryarea corresponding to the LBA is in a non-written state. In this manner,by initializing the logical/physical table 108 a, each block in whichuser data is written transitions, as a result, to a state in which userdata is not written, that is, a non-used free block. Thus, in thepseudo-erase mode, a process of actually erasing each block or a processof writing zero data in each block is not executed. Instead, thelogical/physical table 108 a is initialized. Thereby, user data can beerased more quickly than in the case of executing, e.g. a process ofwriting zero data in all blocks.

When the control unit 103 receives a command (specific command) fordesignating the pseudo-erase mode from the host apparatus 8, the controlunit 103 initializes the logical/physical table 108 a and sets eachblock in a state in which user data is not written. However, thephysical address corresponding to S.M.A.R.T. log data is not deletedfrom the logical/physical table 108 a.

Upon receiving a read command from the host apparatus 8, the controlunit 103 determines whether the memory area designated by the LBAincluded in the read command is in the non-written state, by referringto the logical/physical table 108 a. If the memory area designated bythe LBA is in the non-written state, the control unit 103 sends to thehost apparatus 8 a predetermined value (e.g. zero data) which indicatesthat the memory area designated by the LBA is erased.

The normal erase mode is a second erase mode in which thelogical/physical table 108 a is initialized to set the NAND memory areaincluding plural blocks 1040 in a state in which no user data iswritten, and the blocks, other than defective blocks, included in theNAND memory area, are erased. Specifically, in the normal erase mode,the process of erasing free blocks (block erase process) is executed inaddition to the process of initializing the logical/physical table 108 aso that the blocks, in which user data is written, become free blocks.In the normal erase mode, defective blocks are excluded from the objectsof the erase process. The defective block is a block in which an erroroccurs at a time of data write or data read.

Upon receiving a command designating the normal erase mode from the hostapparatus 8, the control unit 103 initializes the logical/physical table108 a, and sets each block, which stores data (user data) other thanmanagement data (including S.M.A.R.T. log data), in a state (free block)in which no user data is written. Then, the control unit 103 executesthe block erase process on all free blocks.

The expansive erase mode is an erase mode in which each defective blockis erased, in addition to the erase operation of the normal erase mode.In other words, the expansive erase mode is a third erase mode in whichthe logical/physical table 108 a is initialized to set the NAND memoryarea in the state in which no user data is written, and the blocksincluding defective blocks, which are included in the NAND memory area,are erased.

Upon receiving a command designating the expansive erase mode from thehost apparatus 8, the control unit 103 initializes the logical/physicaltable 108 a, and sets each block, which stores data (user data) otherthan management data (including S.M.A.R.T. log data), in a state (freeblock) in which no user data is written. Then, the control unit 103executes the block erase process on all free blocks and defectiveblocks.

Next, an example of the operation of the information processingapparatus 1 is described.

If the user presses the power switch 25, the EC 111 detects the pressingof the power switch 25 and starts supplying power from the power supply7 to the respective parts of the information processing apparatus 1. Inaddition, the EC 111 boots up the information processing apparatus 1 onthe basis of the BIOS 112 a.

If the boot of the information processing apparatus 1 is completed, theuser performs an operation on the information processing apparatus 1 byusing the touch pad 20 and keyboard 23 a, while viewing the displayscreen 31 a of the display device 31.

Upon accepting the operation by the user, the information processingapparatus 1 performs a predetermined operation according to theoperation by the user. For example, in the case where the CPU 15 of theinformation processing apparatus 1 has accepted the operation fordisplaying the data, which is stored in the SSD 10, on the displaydevice 31, the CPU 115 sends to the SSD 10 a read command forinstructing data read-out from the SSD 10. Then, the control unit 103 ofthe SSD 10 executes data read from the NAND memories 104A to 104H, andsends the read data to the GPU 116 via the south bridge 113 and northbridge 114. The GPU 116 displays the data as an image on the displaydevice 31.

<Pseudo-Erase>

FIG. 7 is a flow chart illustrating an example of the pseudo-erase modeas the first erase mode which is used in the present embodiment. Tobegin with, referring to the flow chart of FIG. 7, an example of themethod of pseudo-erase 10A is described.

The user executes, through the touch pad 20 and keyboard 23 a, anoperation on an image which is displayed on the display screen 31 a ofthe display device 31 by, e.g. the operation of an application, andinstructs erase of, e.g. a document stored in the SSD 10 by using thetouch pad 20 and keyboard 23 a (step S1). The CPU 115 instructs erase ofdata (predetermined information) of the document, the erase of which hasbeen instructed to the SSD 10.

Upon receiving the instruction from the CPU 115 via the connector theconnector 102, the control unit 103 of the SSD 10 refers to themanagement data 107 a of each NAND memory, 104A to 104H, and searchesfor the NAND memory in which the data of the document is stored. Basedon the management data 107 a, the control unit 103 determines, forexample, whether the data of the document that is the object of erase isstored in a sector included in a block 1044 (e.g. sector 1042 a includedin the block 1040 shown in FIG. 5) which is in the state of Active 1071shown in FIG. 6. If the data of the document that is the object of eraseis stored in the sector included in the block 1044 which is in the stateof Active 1071, the control unit 103 updates the state of the managementdata 107 a, which corresponds to this block 1044, from Active 1071 toFree 1070 (step S2). It is assumed that the block 1044 stores only thedata of the document that is the object of erase.

The above-described erase method is called the pseudo-erase 10A, and thestate of the management data 107 a of the data of the document, which isthe object of erase, is simply updated. Since the data of the documentitself is not erased, this erase method can quickly be executed. In thiserase method, for example, in the case of discarding the SSD 10 whichstores data with a high security level, since the data itself remains inthe SSD 10, it is possible that the data may be read out.

In the above-described case, the pseudo-erase 10A has been applied tothe erase of a specified one block. However, the pseudo-erase 10A isapplicable to all blocks in which data (user data) other than themanagement data is written. Specifically, when the control unit 103receives a command (specific command) designating the pseudo-erase modefrom the CPU 115, the control unit 103 initializes the logical/physicaltable 108 a and sets each block (each block in the active state), inwhich user data is written, in the state (free block) in which user datais not written. Thereby, almost all blocks, other than blocks storingS.M.A.R.T. log data, become free blocks.

<Normal Erase>

FIG. 8 is a flow chart illustrating the normal erase as the second eraseaccording to the present embodiment. Referring to the flow chart of FIG.8, the method of normal erase 10B is described. In the descriptionbelow, the operation common to that of the pseudo-erase 10A is omitted.

Like the above-described pseudo-erase 10A, when the erase of a documentis instructed by the user (step S3), for example, if data of thedocument that is the object of erase is stored in a sector (writtensector) 1042 a of a block 1045 that is in the state of Active 1071, asshown in FIG. 6, the control unit 103, on the basis of the managementdata 17 a, erases the data stored in the block 1045 by executing blockerase of the block 1045, and updates the state of the management data107 a corresponding to the block 1045 from Active 1071 to Free 1070(step S4). It is assumed that the block 1045 stores only the data of thedocument that is the object of erase.

The above-described erase method is called the normal erase 10B, anderase of the data of the document that is the object of erase isexecuted, and the management data 107 a is updated. In this normal erase10B, for example, in the case of discarding the SSD 10 which stores datawith a high security level, more exact erase than the pseudo-erase 10Acan be executed. However, since the data stored in the defective block1043, which is in the state of Bad Block 1072, is not erased, it cannotbe said that complete eraser which disables read-out of data with a highsecurity level, is executed.

In the above-described case, the normal erase 10B has been applied toerase of one specified block. However, the normal erase 10B isapplicable to all blocks in which data (user data) other than themanagement data is written. Specifically, when the control unit 103receives a command designating the normal erase mode from the CPU 115,the control unit 103 initializes the logical/physical table 108 a andsets each block (each block in the active state), in which user data iswritten, in the state (free block) in which user data is not written.Thereafter, the control unit 103 erases, by block erase, the blocks,other than defective blocks, which are included in the NAND memory area,that is, all free blocks.

Next, a description is given of the expansive erase 10C, which is acomplete erase method which disables read-out of data with a highsecurity level.

<Expansive Erase>

FIG. 9 is a flow chart illustrating the expansive erase as the thirderase.

In the expansive erase 10C, erase of all data (user data) of the SSD 10is executed. For example, assume the case in which an optical disc,which stores the operating system that is necessary for booting theinformation processing apparatus 1, is inserted in the ODD 27, theinformation processing apparatus 1 is booted from the optical disc, andan application which can execute the expansive erase 10C of the SSD 10is started.

The user, for example, instructs the expansive erase 10C by using thetouch pad 20 and keyboard 23 a, while viewing items of erase which aredisplayed on the display screen 31 a (step S5), and the CPU 115instructs the SSD 10 to execute the expansive erase 10C.

When the expansive erase 10C of the SSD 10 is instructed by the user,the control unit 103 executes erase of all data stored in the Free 1070,Active 1071 and Bad Block 1072, and executes update of the managementdata 107 a (step S6). The update of the management data 107 a meansupdate of the block 1043 and block 1040 from the states of Active 1071and Bad Block 1072 to the state of Free 1070.

The above-described erase method is called the expansive erase 10C.Since the expansive erase 10C covers the erase of the Bad Block 1072,more exact data erase can be executed than the other erase methods. Theexpansive erase 10C is suited, for example, to the case of discardingthe SSD 10 which stores data with a high security level. The expansiveerase 10C may be executed not by the above-described start of theapplication stored in the optical disc, but by, e.g. a commandoperation.

In step S6, for example, the following process is executed.Specifically, upon receiving a command designating the expansive erasemode from the host apparatus 8, the control unit 103 initializes thelogical/physical table 108 a, and sets each block, which stores data(user data) other than management data (including S.M.A.R.T. log data),in a state (free block) in which no user data is written. The controlunit 103 executes the block erase process on all free blocks anddefective blocks.

According to the above-described embodiment, the pseudo-erase 10A canquickly set each block in the state in which no data is written. In thenormal erase 10B, since the data in each block is actually erased, thereliability of data erase is higher than the pseudo-erase 10A. In theexpansive erase 10C, the Bad Block 1072, which is not erased in thenormal erase 10B, is also erased, and it is possible, therefore, toprevent leak of information from the information processing apparatus 1or SSD 10, which stores data with a high security level, and to safelydiscard the information processing apparatus 1 or SSD 10.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the pseudo-erase mode, normalerase mode and expansive erase mode can selectively be used according tothe purpose of use.

The various modules of the systems described herein can be implementedas software applications, hardware and/or software modules, orcomponents on one or more computers, such as servers. While the variousmodules are illustrated separately, they may share some or all of thesame underlying logic or code.

While certain embodiments of the inventions have been described, theseembodiments have been presented by way of example only, and are notintended to limit the scope of the inventions. Indeed, the novel methodsand systems described herein may be embodied in a variety of otherforms; furthermore, various omissions, substitutions and changes in theform of the methods and systems described herein may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit of the inventions. The accompanying claims andtheir equivalents are intended to cover such forms or modifications aswould fall within the scope and spirit of the inventions.

1. An information processing apparatus comprising: an informationprocessing apparatus main body; and a nonvolatile semiconductor memorydrive which is accommodated in the information processing apparatus mainbody, the nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive including a nonvolatilesemiconductor memory having a memory area including a plurality ofblocks, and a control module, the control module having a first erasemode in which an address management table, which is indicative of acorrespondency between logical block addresses and physical addresses ofthe nonvolatile semiconductor memory, is initialized to indicate thatthe memory area has no user data, a second erase mode in which theaddress management table is initialized to indicate that the memory areahas no user data, and the blocks, other than a defective block, whichare included in the memory area, are erased, and a third erase mode inwhich the address management table is initialized to indicate that thememory area has no user data, and the blocks, including the defectiveblock, which are included in the memory area, are erased, and thecontrol module selectively using the first erase mode, the second erasemode and third erase mode, thereby executing an erase operation on thememory area, wherein the control module selects the first erase modewhen a command for designating the first erase mode is received from theinformation processing apparatus main body, selects the second erasemode when a command for designating the second erase mode is receivedfrom the information processing apparatus main body, and selects thethird erase mode when a command for designating the third erase mode isreceived from the information processing apparatus main body.
 2. Theinformation processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein the defective blockis a block in which an error occurs at a time of data write or dataread.
 3. The information processing apparatus of claim 1, wherein aprocess of initializing the address management table includes a processof setting the address management table in a state in which the physicaladdress corresponding to each of the logical block addresses is notwritten in the address management table.
 4. A nonvolatile semiconductormemory drive which is used as an external storage device of aninformation processing apparatus, comprising: a nonvolatilesemiconductor memory having a memory area including a plurality ofblocks; and a control module having a first erase mode in which anaddress management table, which is indicative of a correspondencybetween logical block addresses and physical addresses of thenonvolatile semiconductor memory, is initialized to indicate that thememory area has no user data, a second erase mode in which the addressmanagement table is initialized to indicate that the memory area has nouser data, and the blocks, other than a defective block, which areincluded in the memory area, are erased, and a third erase mode in whichthe address management table is initialized to indicate that the memoryarea has no user data, and the blocks, including the defective block,which are included in the memory area, are erased, the control moduleselectively using the first erase mode, the second erase mode and thirderase mode, thereby executing an erase operation on the memory area,wherein the control module selects the first erase mode when a commandfor designating the first erase mode is received from the informationprocessing apparatus, selects the second erase mode when a command fordesignating the second erase mode is received from the informationprocessing apparatus, and selects the third erase mode when a commandfor designating the third erase mode is received from the informationprocessing apparatus.
 5. The nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive ofclaim 4, wherein the defective block is a block in which an error occursat a time of data write or data read.
 6. The nonvolatile semiconductormemory drive of claim 4, wherein a process of initializing the addressmanagement table includes a process of setting the address managementtable in a state in which the physical address corresponding to each ofthe logical block addresses is not written in the address managementtable.
 7. A nonvolatile semiconductor memory drive which is used as anexternal storage device of an information processing apparatus,comprising: a nonvolatile semiconductor memory that comprises a memoryarea including a plurality of blocks, the nonvolatile semiconductormemory storing an address management table; and a control unit thatcontrols data write and data read on the plurality of blocks within thememory area of the nonvolatile semiconductor memory, the control unit isadapted to select one erase mode from a plurality of erase modes uponreceipt of a command corresponding to the one of the plurality of erasemodes, the plurality of erase modes comprise (i) a first erase mode inwhich the address management table, including logical block addressesand their corresponding physical addresses of the nonvolatilesemiconductor memory, is initialized to indicate that the memory areahas no user data, (ii) a second erase mode in which the addressmanagement table is initialized to indicate that the memory area has nouser data and the plurality of blocks, other than a defective block inthe memory area, are erased, and (iii) a third erase mode in which theaddress management table is initialized to indicate that the memory areahas no user data and the plurality of blocks in the memory area,including the defective block, are erased.
 8. The nonvolatilesemiconductor memory drive of claim 7, wherein the control unit toreceive the command from a circuit board implemented within theinformation processing apparatus.